Capable & CredibleCapable & Credible
Pitching to prospects is stressful and time-consuming, but such a thrill it’s to be invited to debate a project! With much anticipation, energy and time are forwarded to preparing for the meeting and, if inspired to do so, also writing a proposal to outline the way the client’s goals could be achieved.
It’s frustrating should your proposal is rejected and even worse, should you never again hear from that prospect. It’s therefore imperative that Solopreneurs decide to improve our client acquisition rate and minimize negative outcomes.
Client endorsements
Recommendations by satisfied people are trust-building votes of confidence. A referral produced by someone known and respected because of the prospect is the best endorsement. Word-of-mouth is definitely the best advertisement.
LinkedIn recommendations are lukewarm. Testimonials that show up on your website are powerful, in particular those given by a prestige client. Better still is usually to invite a customer to participate within a case study that details how it’s like to work together with you, hence the story can be visible on your website.
Samples of your respective work
Create a portfolio of case studies or samples of one’s work to offer some show and tell for prospects. They deserve the opportunity view and evaluate your hard work, to allow them to envision the match-up involving the outcomes they should achieve and also the solutions you’d probably deliver. Curate your portfolio by choosing projects that relate the expertise you intend to showcase. A good portfolio will even help to justify your (premium) pricing.
Online presence
Prospective clients expect all professionals on an online presence and before choosing to contact a Solopreneur specialist, a world wide web search is carried out. Prospects keep asking who you are and ensure that you’re legitimate.
There are the ones rare Solopreneurs who are able to develop a successful client list with no online presence. Whether or not you do have a website, cultivate your digital persona through social websites, or post pr releases online to publicize speaking engagements, participation in charity or community events, or announce an award you’ve received.
Writing a newsletter or blog, podcast guest appearances, or uploading a movie clip of yourself in working order are additional options to begin a credible digital presence that’s made to reassure prospects.
Communicate value-added
The ultimate belief that clients hire Solopreneur specialists is because believe these folks will bring significant value to your project and earn the hiring decision-maker look smart. Merely describing your merchandise and services isn’t sufficient to win assignments inside a hyper-competitive marketplace stuffed with highly qualified experts who are available and hungry for billable hours.
Communicating your exceptional value could be the way to get hired along with your value should be demonstrated in various ways. Like a trial lawyer, layer on examples within your competencies before preponderance of evidence tips to your advantage. Make the case of that this client’s job can be easier, the business will save money, are going to be better positioned to generate income and that mission-critical goals are going to be achieved, together with you on the job.
Politely persistent
When a prospect has agreed to debate doing business, or if you must confirm whether you will end up awarded binding agreement after you’ve discussed the project, the two main possible actions you could have:
1). Active pursuit, whenever you send a contact to either encourage establishing a meeting, or even learn the result of a hiring decision.
2). Passively looking forward to the prospect get in touch with you.
According to experts, neither approach is effective. A diplomatic method to keep your proposal about the front burner is essential. Why not telephone or text the possibility three or four days after you have sent your proposal, to verify that it may be received, or follow-up from a discussion concerning the project? You may also ask when s/he would wish to begin the project work. Open the threshold a little wider and claim that you’d be thrilled to start work ASAP with an urgent action item, so your deadline are going to be comfortably reached.
Solopreneurs have two jobs: finding projects then completing those projects. Our chance to survive financially is directly bound to this process. As companies carry on and shrink full-time workforces, the quantity of Solopreneurs grows. In order to compete successfully, we need to always be positioned to obtain clients and generate adequate revenue.